Do you tend to see the glass as half-empty or half-full? That’s a question that you have most likely heard a number of times. Your response is closely related to the concept of positive thinking and whether it’s good or negative attitude on life in general. When it comes to positive psychology, positive thinking is critical because it’s a subfield that is committed to the study of what makes individuals happy and fulfilled. Positive thinking can assist in stress management and even plays a significant part in your general health and well-being. Reduced emotions of low self-esteem, improved physical health, and a more positive attitude toward life are all possible benefits of this treatment. This article explains the definition of positive thinking as well as the health benefits of maintaining a good attitude. It also discusses some of the tactics that you might employ to become a more positive thinker.
What Is the Definition of Positive Thinking?
What exactly is “positive thinking” and how does it differ from “negative thinking”? First, consider the possibility that it involves viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, so ignoring or glossing over the bad parts of one’s personal experience. On the other hand, positive thinking refers to tackling life’s obstacles with a positive attitude. Positive thinking does not necessarily imply avoiding or disregarding the negative aspects of one’s life or one’s circumstances. Making the most of potentially unpleasant situations, attempting to see the best in others, and viewing oneself and one’s abilities from a positive perspective are all part of the process.
Types of Explanatory Styles
An explanatory style is how you explain why events happen. The explanation style of positive thinkers is more likely to be optimistic. However, the way in which how people explain events can also differ depending on the specific situation. For instance, someone who is usually confident in their thinking could adopt more pessimistic explanation styles when confronted with exceptionally difficult conditions, such as those encountered at work or school. While there are various elements that influence whether or not a person has a positive outlook, the method in which they explain the events of their lives, known as their explanatory style, is particularly essential.
Optimistic explanatory style: People with an optimistic explanatory style prefer to give themselves credit when good things happen and to place blame on other people or events when negative things happen. Additionally, they tend to view unfavorable situations as fleeting and uncommon.
Pessimistic explanatory style: When bad things happen, people with a pessimistic explanatory style tend to blame themselves; but they are less likely to give themselves due credit when good things happen due to their thinking. Negative events are also perceived as predictable and long-lasting by them. As you can understand, blaming yourself for circumstances that are out of your control or perceiving these terrible events as a permanent part of your life can have a negative impact on your mental health and well-being.
Positive Psychology and Positive Thinking are two different things.
However, while “positive thinking” and “positive psychology” are commonly used interchangeably, it’s vital to recognize that they are not synonymous. Optimistic thinking is the process of viewing situations from a more positive perspective. It is a way of thinking that emphasizes the need to maintain an optimistic outlook. An academic field known as positive psychology investigates the psychological impacts of optimism and its origins and optimal application times.
Positive Thinking Has a Positive Impact on Your Health
Even though popular psychology studies frequently promote positive thinking as a psychological cure. There are numerous significant health advantages associated with positive thinking and happy attitudes. Positive thinking is associated with a wide range of health advantages, including stress management/coping abilities, psychological well-being, stronger immune systems, and improvements in physical well-being. Life expectancy is increasing; depression is decreasing, and the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death is decreasing.
Having a positive mental attitude is associated with a lower mortality rate. People with a more optimistic outlook were also more likely to engage in regular physical activity, refrain from smoking, consume a healthier diet, and sleep for longer periods of time. Positive thinking has numerous advantages, but it is unclear what it is about positive thinking that profoundly impacts physical and mental well-being. Those with a positive outlook on life are less likely to be influenced by stress. More positive automatic thoughts help people become more robust in life’s harsh situations by increasing their frequency and intensity. In addition, high levels of positive thinking are associated with a greater sense of the significance of one’s life after stressful life experiences.
How to Develop a Positive Mental Attitude
While you may be more prone to negative thinking than the average person, there are tactics you may employ to become a more positive thinker over time. Putting these ideas into practice on a regular basis will help you develop the habit of retaining a more optimistic attitude towards life.
• Pay attention to your thoughts: Start paying attention to the thoughts that come to you during the day. Consider making a conscious effort to rephrase your thoughts more positively if you realize that the majority of them are negative.
• Keep a thankfulness diary to record your thoughts and feelings: Practicing thankfulness can positively affect you. It can assist you in learning to have a more optimistic attitude in life. Feeling more hopeful due to having appreciative thoughts is a good thing.
• Positively talk to yourself: How you speak to yourself can significantly impact how you feel about yourself. Your self-talk to be more positive can have a favorable impact on your emotions and your ability to cope with stress in the long run.
Kim’s Final Thoughts…
It is possible to learn to think more positively, even if you are not born with this trait. You can take steps to improve your outlook and become more optimistic over time. First, it’s essential to become aware of your inner monologue and pay close attention to what you’re saying to yourself. Meditation and mindfulness training can help you develop greater self-awareness and self-esteem and become more aware of how your negative ideas affect your moods and behaviors. As you grow more adept at spotting negative thought patterns, you will be able to take measures to modify your perspective and adopt a more positive outlook. It is possible to learn to be a more positive thinker over time by actively replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
